Key-socket.



E. H. FREEMAN.

KEY SOCKET.

APPLICATION FILEDJUNE 10, 1911.

1,016,136, Patented Jan 30, 1912.

Z J6 J0 l 15 I W v 9 1 5 9 ZQjj v "3 ll 6 V v 25 3 41 that class of key-sockets having EDGAR H. FREEMAN, OF TREN'ION, NEW JERSEY.

KEY-SOCKET.

specification oiIetter-s Patent. Patented Jan. 30, 1912.

Application ill ed June 10, 1911. Serial No. 632,506.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDGAR H. Freeman, a citizen of the United States, resldln at Trenton, in the county of Mercer andbtate of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Sockets,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the subject of electrical lamp sockets, more particularly to that type of socket known as a key-socket embodying a. key-controlled switch-mechanism for making and breaking the circuit through. the lamp.

To'this end the invention has in view certain novel and practical improvements in a switch body ofinsulating material which carries the entire switch-mechanism, as well as the separate line wire terminals, 'and the plug contacts. .7

A s ecial feature of the invention is to provi e a novel construction and arrangement of elements which secures a proper and effective separation of opposite polarity parts, while at thesame time so exposing all parts as to render them conveniently and readily accessible for inspection, adjustment or repair. In carrying out this special object, the invention provides a structure which may be, utilized with a two-piece switch body of insulating material, and which involves the novel feature of providing-such a body with a sin le external housing chamber for the swim -mechanism and the separate line wire terminals, which housing chamber is entirely open throughout and is only covered by the shell of the external casing when the socket is set up. This feature of improvement admits of easy and ready wiring of the socket, while at the same time exposing'every metal part to ready inspection which'is of considerable practical importance.

Another object of the invention is to proride a key-socket having strong, compact and good contacts, as well as a positive reliable break.

The essential features of the invention are necessarily susceptible to structural change without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, but a preferred and practical emswitch-mechanism having a quick bodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrical lamp socket constructed in accordance with the present invention, the outer socket casing being shown in dotted lines. 2 is a side elevation of the twopiece porcelain socket body showing more plainly the single external housing chamber, andhthe switch mechanism and hue wire terminals therein. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33v of Fig. 2, showing one of the insulating blocks in'plan. Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the line 4.4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of the combined center plug contact and snapper spring. Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of the switch contact spring.

Like references designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawing.

Preferably, in the practical manufacture of the invention, the socket body is of a twopiece construction, the same consisting of two matching blocks of porcelain or equivalent insulating material. The two blocks of insulating material are respectively'designated on the drawings by the numerals 1 and 2, and are detachably held together by the fastening screws 3, or equivalent fasteningmeans, and one of said blocks, the block 2, having fitted to one side thereof the usual screw-shell contact 4 for the lamp plug, said screw-shell contact bein held in place by the oppositely arranged astening screws 5 and 6, the screw 6 also acting as a conductor and having its threaded portion engaging a threaded opening 7 in the foot flange 8 of a line Wire terminal plate 9, arranged in one portion of the single external housing chamber 10. 'The line wire terminal 9 is fitted with the usual binding screw or equivalent element. 11 for securing a wire to the'said terminal.

As above indicated a distinctive feature of the above invention resides in providing the switch body with a single external housing chamber for the switch mechanism and the line wire terminals. This housing chamber is formed-by cut'out recesses in opposite edge portions of the insulating blocks 1 and 2. The said chamber may be said to be formed annularly in the two-part switch body and extends partly about the periphery of the body andis of sufficient depth to completely receive therein the separate line namely,

wire terminals as well as the switch meohadiate portion of the chamber which lies betable switch block 12, a switch contact spring 13, and a combined center plug contact and snapper spring 14-. The switch block 12 is of the usual and conventional form, that is, it consists of a substantially rectangular metal block loosely interlocked with the key-shaft 15 so as to have a limited independent rotation thereon, while at'the sametime be turnable therewith. The said key-shaft 15 is provided with the usual extern'allyarranged finger-key 16, and is journaled in the bearing seats-17 formed in complemental relation in the opposing meeting faces of the twoinsulating blocks 1 and 2.

The switch contact spring 13 lies within recessed part oi the block 1, and is held by a screw 18 to the foot flange 19 of the second line wire terminal plate 20, carrying the binding screw 21 and lying within that part of the housing chamber opposite the line wire terminal 9, as shown in Fig. 4.

The spring 14; is' of special and novel form, so as to provide a long and deep spring effect for snapping the switch block 12, as well as a substantial center plug contact for the lamp plug. The said strip 14 is formed from a single strip of spring metal redoubled to provide a long and a short -spring arm 22 and 23, respectively. The

long s ring arm 22 is, provided at its free end with an angle part 24 provided with a flat bearing plate 25 that is yieldingly held in contact, laterally, with the rotatable switch block 12. The shorter spring arm'23- is disposed within thecenter of the screwshell contact- 4: and at the base thereof to form the center plug contact for the socket.

The intermediate or body part it of the sprin referred to is securely held and brace in position by a bridge-bar 26 extending transversely across the said spring and having its ends detachably seated in the recesses 27 provided in one side of the insulating block 2. The said spring 14 as an entirety is seated within a housin recess 28 which is provided in one side of t e insulating block 2, and is in 0 en communication with the main housing 0 amber 10, hereinbefore referred to.

/ I claim,

1. In an electrical key-socket, a body of insulating material provided with a single external annular housing chamber, and in one face thereof with a housing recess in communication with the chamber, line wire terminals arranged in opposite portions of the chamber, and a switch mechanism lying in an intermediate part of the chamber and including a combined center plug contact and snapper spring seated'within said recess.

2. Inan electrical key-socket, the body, the line Wire terminals, and a switch mechanism comprising a rotatable switch block, a switch spring in the electrical circuit, and

a combined center plug contact and snapper spring consisting of a redoubled strip of spring metal.

3. In an electrical key-socket, the body, and the switch mechanism comprisin a switch contact spring, a rotatable switch block, and a combined center plug contact and snapper spring consisting of a single strip of spring metal redoubled to provide a long and a short spring arm, the long spring'arm having at its free end a fiat bearing plate yieldingly engaging the switch block, and fastening means for holding the said redoubled strip in place.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR H. FREEMAN.

Witnesses:

JOHN B. Rnrrnnonr, WILLIAM P. Hams. 

